Seller misrepresented location of item, shipping method -- anything to do now?

[wildwillie6]

So I bought the item and paid on April 20 and the seller generated a label April 23. HOWEVER, the seller represented the item as being in California and it was actually in China AND the seller listed the shipping method as USPS Retail Ground® while in fact it's the international shipping service EMS. 

The originally listed delivery estimate was April 24 to 28, but tracking information seems to indicate it didn't actually ship anywhere until April 29. I would never have bought on April 20 if I had known the item was shipping from China and wouldn't get here until sometime in May.

Any advice? 

[lamber9347]

@wildwillie6 You have purchased an item on a platform that offers a MBG to all buyers so you will be fine. All you need to do is follow the correct procedures. Go to this item in your purchase history and look at the last estimated date of delivery. Once that day passes you open an item not received and follow the prompts. 

Seller will have to upload tracking info, which will show your item still in progress and obviously not arriving by the estimated date. The system will delay for a few days for the seller but eventually it will time out and you will be refunded by eBay for your purchase. 

It's important that you follow the procedures and you only get one opportunity to select carefully. No need to message the seller as there is nothing they can do for you. Best of luck to you....

[wildwillie6]

Thank you, that's most helpful! . . . here's my one concern . . . that after I have done all this, next month the package shows up from China, traveling the last mile via U.S. Postal Service, and is left in my mailbox without an opportunity to refuse delivery. Then I have to somehow get it back to China, right? To the seller's originating address? I don't have any idea how to do that. (It's why I picked a "domestic" seller using "USPS" to start with, or so the listing said.)

Thanks again!

[downunder-61]

Why would you send it back once it arrives?

You just contact the seller so you can repay them what  you were refunded

[anssiha]

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@wildwillie6 wrote:

left in my mailbox without an opportunity to refuse delivery

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You can refuse mail after delivery, just write "Refused" on it and put it in outgoing mail.

https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/508.htm section "1.1.3 Refusal After Delivery".

[wildwillie6]

Update: I ordered this item April 20 to ship from California. The seller actually shipped from China, generating a label on April 23, but with no pickup of the package until April 29. Thus, the original delivery date of April 24 to 28 was impossible, so I decided to buy an equivalent item elsewhere

I opened a case on May 6 and the case was put on hold until May 16 -- and now May 26! eBay wants me to wait until it comes in and just accept it! Tracking shows it's somewhere in China still today.

I have tried and tried to find a way to appeal this hold and it always takes me back to the same place, "eBay Customer Support has placed the case on hold until May. 26 to allow time to provide additional documentation." I DON'T NEED any more documentation -- the seller falsified the location and shipping method! 

Any suggestions? Wait until it comes and refuse delivery? The seller has already grossly violated the Terms of Service!

[wastingtime101]

The INR was extended because there's a recent tracking scan. If the package arrives before the  extension expires then the INR will be closed out in the seller's favor.

If that happens you can file a not as described claim because the seller misrepresented the shipping method. If the seller wants it back they'll have to pay for return shipping, otherwise they can refund you without requiring a return.

[wildwillie6]

Thanks -- I get that -- but with originally scheduled delivery April 24-28, it doesn't seem reasonable for the seller to get automatic extensions to May 6, May 16 and now May 26. Am I missing something? I'd never have bought with an expected delivery date of May 26. And there is the matter that the seller misrepresented the location and shipping method. 

But anyway, thanks to all who replied. I'll post how this comes out.

[nono-8172]

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@wildwillie6 wrote:

with originally scheduled delivery April 24-28, it doesn't seem reasonable for the seller to get automatic extensions to May 6, May 16 and now May 26.

And there is the matter that the seller misrepresented the location and shipping method. 

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It's correct to start a return request after it arrives. HeBay says here:

Regardless of when the item has been shipped out, late delivery would be considered a valid SNAD claim. At one point shipping the item out during the stated handling time would have been a factor in determining the correct decision in a Return Request, but now we simply look at the delivery date. We are still able to protect a seller against a late shipping defect if the item was shipped out on time, but the buyer would be able to return the item for a full refund if it arrived later than the latest estimated delivery date.

You'll have to contact HeBay on Facebook after the seller stalls you (with no button to ask HeBay to step in) by claiming they cannot provide a return label. HeBay will put the case on hold for 5 days to allow the seller to either refund outright no return needed, or send cash via PayPal for the return postage. It's likely the seller will choose the former.

[wildwillie6 · Accepted solution]

End of story: I received my refund June 4. The original order was on April 20 and I received the item May 20, far too late for it to be used in my project due weeks before. Advice to others: You just have to be patient. If someone ships from China after claiming a domestic origin, it will not be resolved quickly -- if your experience is like mine.